Fused cutout of the exposed link type



y 1951 D. c. HUBBARD 2,558,956

FUSED CUTOUT OF THE EXPOSED LINK TYPE] Filed Dec. 19, 1947 2 SheetsSheet 1 E f i I C L27 3 2 77 g; [NI [N702 a: 84 90 David C fizzbbard 85 162421 34 -Zwr 550mg July 3, 1951 D. c. HUBBARD 2,558,956

FUSED CUTOUT OF THE EXPOSED LINK TYPE Filed Dec. 19, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NI FAVOR David C flabbard 5 W 27(7/mf diiolvz y Patented July 3, 1951 FUSED CUTOUT OF THE EXPOSED LINK TYP David C. Hubbard, Centralia, Mo., assignor to A. B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application December 19, 1947, Serial No. 792,805

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to fused cutouts of the exposed link type, and is particularly concerned with the provision of a fused cut-out which is adapted to utilize any of the standard exposed fuse links now on the market.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved fused cut-out of the exposed link type, which is so constructed that the same spring which tensions the fuse link also tends to absorb the shock movement of the pivoted arm, but the structure is also so arranged that the spring cannot be damaged or tensioned beyond its elastic limit, if the lineman should carry the cut-out by means of its pivoted arm.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved fused cut-out of the class described, which interposes a minimum amount of resistance in the connections between the tap wire and the fuse link which is carried by the pivoted arm.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction for a fused cutout of the class described which is simple in construction, sturdy, capable of economical manufacture and which is adapted to be used for a long period of time under all kinds of adverse weather conditions without failure, and without necessity for repair or replacement of any of its parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved fused cut-out construction, which may be supported either upon a single insulator or upon two separate insulators, the latter being accomplished by the use of an adapter which makes the connection between the top of insulators of the type carrying bolts and the arms of the present cut-out.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referrin to the two sheets of drawings accompanyin this specification,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a fused cutout embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the fuse link removed;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cut-out of Figure l, with the fuse link removed and with the arm in horizontal position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modification; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view showin the adapter and mode of connection of the present contact arms to the top of an insulator whenthe device is to be supported upon two insulators instead of one.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the present cut-out indicated in its entirety by the numeral I0, may be supported upon a single insulator ll of the type having a central reduced cylindrical portion I2 for receiving a cylindrical clamping band l3 secured about the insulator by a bolt and nut M.

The insulator l I may be provided at each of its ends with a reduced substantially cylindrical por-' tion I5, l6, having a diametrically extending through bore 11, I8. At the side opposite to the contact arm [9, 20, the cylindrical portions 15, i 6, of the insulator l I may be provided with substantially cylindrical sockets or enlarged counterbores 21, 22, adapted to receive the head 23 of a screw bolt 24, and also suitable metal and fibre washers 25, 26.

The bolts 24 preferably have a clearance in the bores ll and H3 through which they pass freely, so that there is no tendency for the bolt to spread the bore and strain the insulator except to place the part l5, 16 under compression.

The cut-out includes a fixed arm l9 and a movable arm 20, and both arms may have an identical construction at the link engaging end portion 21. The arms may be made of cast metal, and at the end portion 2'! they are each provided with a substantially rectangular shank 28 Which may carry one of two integral rearwardly extending hooks 29, 30. Two such hooks 29, 30, are preferably employed when it is desired to receive a new fuse link 31 while still holdin the old fuse link.

In the absence of this requirement the end portions 29 may be provided with a single hook such as the hook 30, the other hook 29 being cut off or eliminated along the dotted line 32.

The entire end assembly 2! is preferably provided with a flat or plane top surface 33 so that this surface may flatly engage a complementary plane surface 34 on the fuse link ferrule 35, thus increasing the contact area and reducing contact resistance. The end portion 2'! may have its end surface at 36 rounded, and each of the arms 29 and 30 forms, with the shank 28, a V-shaped opening 31 into which the leader 38 of the fuse link 3| may be wedged to effect a good low-re 4 onally outward from the shank 28 and may be substantially rectangular in cross-section, but may increase in thickness toward flaring ends 39, 40, which are intended to increase the size of the tapered opening leading into the recesses 31 to make it easier to attach the fuse link 3i, and to guide the leader 33 into the wedging recess 31. Thus the flaring ends 39 and 40 of the hooks comprise heads of increasing size rounded at their outer portions.

The standard fuse links, with which such contact arms are to be used, are of the exposed link type having a suitable insulating tube 4! which houses a fusible portion that joins the two leaders 38 and 42. Each leader is preferably provided with a ring formation 43, the edges of which are seen in Figure 1, and inside the ring and engaging it there is a ferrule 35 which engages the switch arm. Each ferrule 35 may have a cylindrical hub 44 which has a through bore for passing the leader 38 or 42, and each ferrule may have a radially extending disk 45 carrying the flat inner surface 34 that engages the contact arm.

Extending inwardly from the link supporting end 21 of the upper arm [9, this arm may gradually increase in depth and width to provide the desired cantilever strength, being provided with a pair of horizontally extending reinforcing ribs 46 and upwardly and downwardly extending ribs 41. At its attached end the contact arm l9 has a lateral enlargement in the form of a horizontal flange 48, which is bordered by an upwardly extending box like series of flanges 49, 50 and These flanges 49-5! form an extension of the vertical rib 41, and provide a recess above the horizontal flange 48 of sufficient size to receive the end of the bolt 24 and the nut 52 and to permit the application of a wrench to the nut.

The flange 5| has a fiat bearing surface 53 for the nut 52, but it is also preferably formed with radially extending wings 54 and 55 which are partially cylindrical, and which have the inner cylindrical surface 56 that is complementary to the cylindrical end portion I 5 of the insulator I I. Thus the cylindrical surface 56 fits against the cylindrical surface l5 of the insulator, increases the bearing area of the metal arm [9 against the insulator, and the two complementary cylindrical surfaces 56 and I5 prevent rotation of the arm on the insulator so that the arm can be secured by means of a single bolt 24 which clamps it to the insulator.

Suitable spring washers are provided under the nut 52 for taking up rattling or any looseness and preventing the arm from getting loose in service. The flange 5!] preferably supports a laterally projecting cylindrical lug 51, which is spaced from a laterally projecting lip 58 suiiiciently to receive a tap wire 59 between lug 51 and lip 58. The lug 51 has a threaded end portion 60 for receiving the nut 6| which clamps the tap wire by means of a suitable washer.

The tap wire is preferably formed with a curved eyelet formation around the stud or lug 51 so that it cannot get off the lug 51, even when the nut becomes slightly loosened. Thus the upper arm [9 is adapted to be connected into the line, and it is supported at right angles to the insulator I l in position to receive the upper end of fuse link 3|.

The lower contact arm 20 is preferably longer than the upper contact arm I 9 because the lower arm extends diagonally upward toward the upper arm. Lower arm 20 has its end formation 21 similar to that previously described for the upper arm. It also has a tapered and ribbed shank 62 extending from the hook end 21 backwardly to a cylindrical bearing formation 63. The bearing formation 63 has flat side surfaces 6 5, and a.

4 through bore 65; serving as a bearing for the pivotal support of the arm 20.

The inner end of the arm 26 also has a rear- Wardly extending spring supporting flange 61, which may form an extension of the lower rib 41 and which is provided with an aperture 63 for receiving the hooked end 69 of spring l0. Flange 61 tapers in depth toward the aperture 68. The spring ll! comprises a relatively heavy helical tension spring, which is provided at its other end with another hook formation H adapted to be hooked about a tubular spacer 12 which is carried by a rivet 73.

The length ofthe spring Ill is such that even when the arm'20 is horizontal, at minimum spring length the spring is already under initial tension. The rivet l3 and trunnion 14, which supports the bearing 53 of the arm 20, are in the same horizontal plane so that when the arm 2! extends diagonally upward, as shown in Figure 1, it is tensioned to rotate in a clockwise direction away from the arm l9.

The fixture T5 for supporting the pivoted arm 20 may consist of a cast metal member having parallel sides 16, ll, a top wall '18, rear wall 19 and part of a front wall 88 This box like fixture 15 houses the spring HI and the pivotal supporting structure for the arm 20, and protects it from accumulations of ice and generally from the weather.

The side walls iii, Tl, have lateral partially cylindrical wings ill, 32, which extend diagonally outward and are adapted to engage the cylindrical surface It on the lower end of the insulator l l. A screw bolt 83 passes through an aperture in the rear end wall 79, and is provided with a nut 84 by means of which fixture 15 is clamped to this end of the insulator. The arrangements for housing the head 23 of this bolt in a recess are exactly the same as described for the upper end of the insulator I I.

Although the lateral wings 8|, 82 of the end wall 19 may be flat they provide a three-line contact with thecylindrical portion I6, and permit the mounting of the fixture 15 with a single bolt which secures it against turning.

The rivet 13 extends from side 16 to sidewall 11, and preferably carries a tubular spacer 12 for supporting one end of the spring 10. In order to support the arm 20 for pivotal movement and to reduce resistance between'the connections between the arm Zil and the line, I prefer to employ a connector plate 85 which carries the stub shaft 14 at right angles to the plate 85 at its right end. Stub shaft 14 extends through apertures 86 in the side plates'lB and 11 and has a threaded end provided with a nut 81.

The connector plate 85 engages the side plate l1 and is provided with an aperture 88 for receiving the rivet 13, which also secures the connector plate to the side of the housing 15. Connector plate 85 also has an integral laterally projecting cylindrical lug 89 which is screw threaded to receive a nut 90 which engages washer 9| and clamps the tap wire 92 to the connector plate. Tap wire 92 is preferably formed into a loop about the bolt 89, and the connector plate is provided with an integral stop lug 93 which holds the tap wire under the washer ill.

The operation of the fused cut-out is as follows: The fuse link 3| may be hung on a disconnect stick by means of its upper ring 43', and the lower leader 42 may then be brought into engagement with the hook formation 2'! on the lower arm. The stick is then elevated lifting the upper ring 43 and tensioning the spring 10 while the arm 20 pivots counterclockwise.

The fuse link 3-I is lifted high enough so that the upper leader 38 may be hooked in one of the wedging recesses 31 on the upper arm I9. Then the stick is lowered until the ferrule 35 engages the upper arm I9 and then the stick is removed from the ring 43.

The tension exerted by the spring pressed arm 20 draws both leaders 38 and 42 tightly into the wedging recess 31 of the hooks 21. When the fuse 3I blows the arms 20 pulls the leaders 38 and 42 apart, pulling them out of one or both ends of the insulating tube 4I to assure a quick break of the circuit. Then the arm 20 swings downward under the pull of spring I0, but after the arm 20 passes the horizontal position the spring I absorbs the shock and brings the arm 20 to a stop.

In addition to this the end of the flange 68 acts as a stop for engaging the inside of the housing I positively preventing further movement. A positive stop is important because the linemen sometimes carry such a cut-out by means of its spring arm, and the spring might otherwise be tensioned beyond its elastic limit.

Referring now to Figure 4, this is a modification in which the point of pivot of the lower arm has been moved in closer to the insulator. The construction of the insulator II and the attachment of the two arms to the insulator may be exactly as described with respect to Figure 1. In this case, however, the lower housing may consist of a cast metal member having an upper wall 95, two side walls 96, front wall 91 and rear wall 98.

In this case the aperture 99 in the rear wall is close enough to the top wall 95 so that the top wall 95 holds the nut I00 against turning when the bolt is driven home by means of a wrench applied to the head IOI. The rear wall 98 is again curved to fit the cylindrical portion I5 of the insulator. In this case also the top wall 95 of the housing preferably slants upward from the rear wall 98, and the lower arm I02 has an obtuse bend I93 below the front wall 91.

The purpose of the obtuse bend I03 is to bring the hook end 21 of the arm I82 up into the position corresponding to the length of the fuse link 3|, while still having the arm I02 located below the housing 94. The front wall 91 of the housing 94 has a pair of apertures I04 in which the end 69 of the spring I0 may be hooked. The other end II is hooked in an aperture I05 in the upwardly extending flange I06 on the arm I02.

In this case the flange I06 extends upwardly from the bearing portion of the arm I02, which is pivotally mounted on the bolt IN. The walls 96 of the housing 94 are preferably provided with a front to rear reinforcing rib I08 and with a downwardly extending curved portion I99, these curved portions having apertures for the bolt I01.

The reinforcing rib I08 also serves to confine the tap wire H0 beneath the square washer III and adjacent the bolt I01. The same nut I12 and a suitable spring washer H3 are used to secure the bolt I0? in the housing 94, and to secure the tap wire I I9 to the housing. The rear corner II4 of the arm I02 serves as a stop by engaging the lower edge of the rear wall 98 or the nut- I00.

The operation of this fused cut-out is exactly the same as the preceding one, but as the lower arm I02 is pivoted adjacent the insulator II instead of being pivoted at the end of the housing 94 this brings the fuse link 31 closer to the insulator II, and the upper arm H5 may be made that much shorter.

The upper arm has a vertically extending rib I I6 for engaging the tap wire III, and the nut H8 has a square washer II9 engaging the tap wire.

The present fused cut-outs may also be mounted, with each arm carried by a different insulator; in such case the insulators I20 (Figure 5) are preferably of a type having a metal cap :I2I which is threaded to receive a pair of screw bolts I22, I23. An adapter I24 may be employed for connecting any one of the arms I9, 20, I15, I02 or their fixtures to the insulator I20. For example, the connection of the fixture I5 is illustrated having the lateral wings 8I, 82 and rear wall 19.

The adapter comprises a cast metal member provided with a pair of flat attaching flanges I25, I26, and with a central transversely extendlng cylindrical portion I21. The cylindrical portion I2! is hollow, being provided with a recess I28 for receiving the head I29 of the screw bolt I30. The recesses are closed by end walls KM, and the base I32 of each recess is flat and provided with an aperture I33 for receiving the bolt I30.

The rear wall I9 and wings 8I, 82 fit against this cylindrical portion I2! just as they fit against the cylindrical portion I6 of the wing insulator II. A suitable nut I34 is held against turning between the flanges of the housing I5 so that the bolt I30 can be driven home by a wrench applied to its head I29, thus securing the housing 15 to the adapter I24.

The attaching flanges I25 and I26 of the adapter have apertures I35 which register'with the screw bolts I 22, I 23. Attaching flanges I 25, I26 may thus be attached to the metal cap I2I by means of the screw bolts I22, I23 and a suitable spring lock washer I36. Thus the arms may be secured to an adapter which is so constructed that it can be secured to a metal cap I2I of an insulator I20 so that each arm is carried by a separate insulator, the insulators being mounted upon a metal bracket.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved fused cut-out of the exposed type in which the spring not only urges the arm in such a direction as to place a tension on the fuse link, but the same spring absorbs the shock and brings the arm to rest. In addition the cutout has a positive stop so that a lineman cannot overstrain the spring by means of its pivoted arm.

The present pivoted arms are mounted with a minimum electrical resistance, as the arm is pivoted directly on an integral lug carried by the connector plate to which the tap wire is secured. The present cut-outs may be mounted upon a single insulator or by means of an adapter each arm may be mounted upon a separate insulator of the type having a metal cap with a pair of bolts.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodi ment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a fused cut-out, the combination of an insulator having a cylindricalportion with a housing member having top and side walls and having itsarear wall provided with an aperture, said sidewalls having diagonally extending wings for engaging the cylindrical portion of the insulator, said cylindrical portion having a through and having a nut to clamp the housing to the insulator, a contact arm pivotally mounted in said housing-and having at its free end a backwardly. extending hook formation for engaging a fuse link leader and spring means in said housing for urging said contact arm in such a direction as to place a tension on the fuse link unit, thespring being tensioned between a part carried by said housing and a part on said contact arm, and being arranged to absorb the shock and bring the contact arm to a stop after the fuse blows.

2. In a fused cut-out, the combination of an insulator having-a cylindrical portion with a housing member having top and side walls and having its rear wall provided with an aperture, said side walls having diagonally extending wings for engaging the cylindrical portion of the insulator, said cylindrical portion having a through bore-and a counterbore for housing a bolt and itshea-d, said bolt passing through the rear wall and having a nut to clamp the housing to the insulator, a contact arm pivotally mounted in said housing and having at its free end a backwardly extending hook formation for engaging a fuse link leader and spring means in said nousing for urging said contact arm in such a direction as to place a tension on the fuse link unit, said contact arm being pivotally mounted upon-a cylindrical stud extending through apertures in the side walls of said housing, said cylindrical stud forming an integral part of a connector plate having integral means for securing a tap wire to the plate.

3.- In a fused cut-out, the combination of an insulator-having a cylindrical portion with a housing member having top and side walls and having its rear wall provided with an aperture, said side walls having diagonally extending wings for engaging the cylindrical portion of the in sulator, said cylindrical portion having a through bore and a counterbore for housing a bolt and its head, said bolt passing through the rear wall and having a nut to clamp the housing to the insulator, a contact arm pivotally mountedin said housing and having at its free end a backwardlyextending hook formation for engaging a fuse link leader and spring means in said housing for urging said contact arm in such a direction as toplace a tension on the fuse link unit, said contact arm being pivotally mounted upon a cylindrical stud extending through apertures in the side walls of said housing, said cylindrical stud forming an integral part of a connector plate having integral means for securing a tap wire to the plate, said latter means comprising an integral threaded stud provided with a nut and washer for engaging the tap wire and an integral finger for holding the tap wire against said stud.

i. Inafused cut-out of the exposed type, the combination of an insulator with a housing member carried by said insulator and projecting laterally from said insulator, said housing having parallel side walls and a top wall, a contact arm pivotally mounted on said housing between said parallel side walls, said contact arm having an boreand a counterbore for housing a bolt and 7 its head, said bolt passing through the rear wall "integral bearing formed on its rear end, and having a pair of integral backwardly and outwardly extending hooks formed on its free end, to provide a pair of V-shaped openings for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, and a connector plate carried by said housing, and having an integral pintle carried by said plate for pivotally mounting said contact arm with a minimum amount of resistance between the line connector and the contact arm.

' 5. In a fused cut-out of the exposed type, the combination of an insulator with a housing member carried by said insulator and projecting laterally from said insulator, said housing having parallel side walls and a top wall, a contact arm pivotally mounted on said housing between said parallel side walls, said contact arm having an integral bearing formed on its rear end, and having a pair of integral backwardly and outwardly extending hooks formed on its free end, to provide apair of V-shaped openings for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, and a connector plate carried by said housing, and having an integral pintle carried by said plate for pivotally mounting said contact arm with a minimum amount of resistance between the line connector and the contact arm, the said connector plate carrying an integral stud and a lug adjacent said stud for confining a conductor, and a nut on said stud for clamping said conductor.

6. In a fused cut-out of the exposed type, the combination of an insulator with a housing member carried by said insulator and projecting laterally from said insulator, said housing having parallel side walls and a top wall, a contact arm pivotally mounted on said housing between said parallel side walls, said contact arm having an integral bearing formed on its rear end, and having a pair of integral backwardly and outwardly extending hooks formed on its free end, to provide a pair of V-shaped openings for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, and a spring having one end secured to said housing and the other end secured to said contact arm under tension for biasing the contact arm in a direction to tension a fuse unit, the spring acting also to absorb the shock when the contact arm is released by the fuse unit.

'7. In a fused cut-out, a contact arm for engagement with the cable of an exposed unit, said arm comprising a cast metal member formed at one end with an integral bearing, said arm having an integral extension beyond said bearing for engagement with a spring, and said arm tapering in the'opposite direction to its contact end, the contact end having an integral rearwardly extending hook, forming a V-opening for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, a forwardly open housing with parallel side walls and a pintle passing through said side walls and through said bearing for pivotally mounting said contact arm, and a spring extending from said extension to a transverse member carried by said parallel walls.

8. In a fused cut-out, a contact arm for engagement with the cable of an exposed unit, said arm comprising a cast metal member formed at one end with an integral bearing, said arm having an integral extension beyond said bearing for engagement with a spring, and said arm tapering in the opposite direction to its contact end, the contact end having an integral rearwardly extending hook, forming a V-opening for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, a forwardly open hous ing with parallel side walls and a pintle passing through said side walls and through said bearing for pivotally mounting said contact arm, and a spring extending from said extension to a transverse member carried by said parallel walls, said transverse member comprising a rivet carrying a tubular spacer between said walls and said spring being hooked about said spacer.

9. In a fused cut-out, a contact arm for engagement with the cable of an exposed unit, said arm comprising a cast metal member formed at one end with an integral bearing, said arm having an integral extension beyond said bearing for engagement with a spring, and said arm tapering in the opposite direction to its contact end, the contact end having an integral rearwardly extending hook, forming a V-opening for receiving the cable of a fuse unit, a forwardly open housing with parallel side walls and a pintle passing through said side walls and through said bearing for pivotally mounting said contact arm, and a REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,325,555 Steinmayer July 27, 1943 2,347,851 Steinmayer et a1. May 2, 1944 20 2,376,996 Fox May 29, 1945 

